Benítez boost as Gerrard stays at Liverpool

Rafael Benítez has made a stunning start to his reign as Liverpool's manager by convincing Steven Gerrard to turn his back on a potential British record transfer to Chelsea and pledge his future to the new regime at Anfield.

The former Valencia manager's decision to fly to Portugal while England were still involved in Euro 2004 to talk his star midfielder round proved to be a shrewd one.

Gerrard, 24, admitted he had been close to leaving Liverpool but had instead "gone with the decision in my heart to stay" after further talks with his agent, Struan Marshall, and his family upon his return from Portugal. He telephoned the Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry on Saturday evening to offer the club hope.

That prompted a lengthy meeting on Sunday, after which the England midfielder pledged his immediate future to the Merseyside club.

"I've not been happy with the progress the club has made and for the first time in my career I've thought about the possibility of moving on," he said. "But I've gone with my heart. I've made a decision to stay at Liverpool and I am 100% committed to the club."